Sports - Peterites at Pearly Gate

It was just a one digit difference but, at the end St. Peter’s had edged out a gallant Antonian outfit by 11 points (1 try, 2 penalties) to 10points (2 tries) to take the Schools’ ‘A’ division title after four years at Nittawela yesterday. At the short breather the winners led 8-5.After an erratic start Antonians settled in the last 10 minutes of the initial half to play some excellent running rugby by their three quarters. But it were the Peterites who exposed a number of chinks in Antonians armour as they kept the Antonians in check in most part of the first half. Peterites had the edge at set-pieces and in the loose while Antonians were the superior with three quarter moves.All in all both teams played well below their best with aimless kicking being the feature most parts of the first half.

With heavy showers before the game made ball handling difficult and when the game ended it was dark.

Irfath Meedin missed a penalty in the 7th minute of the game when the Antonian three quarters were caught off side. But he was on target three minutes later with a simple 25 meter penalty. Peteries who kept on attacking got two kickable penalties. But reliable place kicker Meedin was off target on both occasions. However a little later Peterite skipper Harendra Ariyawardena powered his way through for a superb number 8 try. Once more Meedin had an off-day with the kick at goal. The last 10 minutes of first half saw the Katugastota Antonians change their style of play and running the ball down the line. For this they were rewarded when full back Mohamed Shafraz brushed a side a few defenders to touch mid left. With Wijesiri missing kick at goal the “Lemons” were taken at 8-5 with the Bambalapitiya school leading.

In the first 10 minutes of the second half Antonian place kicker Wijesiri missed two penalty conversations, with one of them taken under the posts.

Antonians who were under pressure to reform well re-grouped and scored a dashing try through their winger Asoka Weligampola. (Antonians–10, Peters -8)

The last 10 minutes of the game saw the Peterites attacking but the Antonian Defence was solid. With 5 minutes to go the Antonian line was caught off side. Centre Harsha Rukshan was on target with ensuing penalty conversion and thus they had regained the schools plum after a four year wait.